PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT:

The First United Methodist Preschool will be closed this week as a safety precaution and, as always, will follow the schedule of the Morgan County School System.

SCHEDULE UPDATE:

All activities, meetings and Bible studies to take place on the Church Campus during March 15th through April 5th have been cancelled. This includes tonight’s Kick, Kids Club and Youth. Check our website and app for further updates. Should you need assistance during the coming weeks, please contact the church office at 706-342-3325.

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BUTCH THOMPSON:

Please use good judgement as to whether or not to attend. In keeping with protocol given by Morgan County Health Services, we encourage the following:

• Rigorous hand washing practices.
• Social Separation (no hand shaking or hugging).
• Please cover your mouth with elbow or tissue when  sneezing/coughing.
• Anyone who may have symptoms of possible illness, please be considerate and stay isolated until recovery.
•  All those over 60 with underlying health conditions are encouraged to make an educated decision as to whether or not to attend.
• This is a time we want to be sure to look after our parishioners, and especially those who are elderly and at high risk.

As always, if we can assist in any way, please contact me at 706-342-6536 or Butch@madisonfumc.com. 

An invitation to journey and reflect upon the last 24-hours of Jesus’s life on earth.

April 5:  The Crucifixion ~ Mark 15:25-39

April 12:  Christ the Victor ~ Mark 16: 1-6

On Memorial Day weekend in 1981, I asked the Holy Spirit to be completely free in every area of my life. From that day on, I have had an insatiable desire to study and reflect upon God’s Word. My common method of studying and teaching the Scripture has been to ask, “What? So What? Now What?” For Lent, why not consider taking up the practice of reflecting on your day, your gifts and graces, and the progress you are making in life with Christ. The Lenten devotions are reflections written by your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Each day, there should be, as Oswald Chambers says, “some small nugget that you could pound into coinage of your faith.”  Along with reading the daily Scriptures and reflections, I encourage you to use 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 as the 40-day focus of reflection. Simple reflective thoughts, such as the questions listed below, can aid your time of reflection.

• Where did I see God at work this day?
• Where did I miss God at work today?
• When should I have stopped and prayed?
• When did I give thanks?
• Was there a “word” spoken to me today that the Lord wanted me to hear?”

Such questions often prove to be doorways to opening my faith in Christ. At the end of the  Journey from Ashes to Glory, my hope and prayer is that you will have grown deeper and wider in your discipleship in Jesus Christ. “May God Himself, the God of Peace, sanctify you through and through.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Grace and peace,

 Grady 

 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22